ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda, Thursday November 9, 2017 – Antigua and Barbuda is ranked as the Caribbean’s top Citizenship by Investment programme, while Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis are ranked second and third respectively, according to the Read more

Antigua Observer
The cost for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship under the National Development Fund (NDF) has been reduced to US $100,000. The previous price was US $200,000. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne who was speaking in parliament Thursday Read more

CARIBBEAN NEWS NOW
Oct 12th 2017
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The cost for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship under the National Development Fund (NDF) option has been reduced to US$100,000. The previous required contribution was US$200,000.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Read more

2nd Passports
It appears that obtaining a second citizenship is beginning to catch momentum as a global trend. I’ve met several people in just the past week who have obtained multiple passports (more on that in later) but this trend is Read more

Through the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program, investors and their immediate family members can directly qualify for citizenship.
Antigua and Barbuda, an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean, has a developing economy driven primarily by the tourism industry.
The verdant tropical islands Read more

The twin island nations of Antigua and Barbuda are located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country boasts stunning beaches, opportunities for yachting, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, as well as golfing, horseback riding and more. Read more

Antigua and Barbuda is joining other Caribbean countries in selling citizenship to international investors.
Prime Minister Gaston Brown says the revenue generated by the citizenship-by-investment program will help put the islands "on the road to sustainable growth and development."
A foreigner Read more

On October 13, 2013, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer, announced the launch of the territory's Citizenship by Investment Program.
The prime minister described the program as "an initiative which has the potential to transform the economic Read more

Antigua and Barbuda has officially launched a residency for investment – or ‘golden’ – visa.
The Prime Minister announced the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) late last week.
To get a passport and citizenship in Antigua, investors must invest $250,000 to Read more

Antigua & Barbuda has launched its “Citizenship by Investment Program” with Prime Minister saying the initiative is to generate investments and jobs for nationals and to put the twin island-nation on the road to sustainable growth and development.
According to Read more

ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda, Thursday November 9, 2017 – Antigua and Barbuda is ranked as the Caribbean’s top Citizenship by Investment programme, while Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis are ranked second and third respectively, according to the Global Residence and Citizenship Programme (GRCP) 2017–2018 report.

The report, which has become the industry standard for benchmarking and measuring the attractiveness of investment migration programmes, was released by global residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, ahead of its 11th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference which will be held in Hong Kong from November 14 to 16.

For the third consecutive year, Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment programme is the top-ranking one in the Caribbean, with a score of 61 out of 100. It’s followed by Grenada with a score of 60, and St Kitts and Nevis with a score of 59.

“While Antigua and Barbuda is ranked fourth globally, the recent reduction in the minimum contribution amount accepted by the country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit will likely affect the programme’s ranking in next year’s report,” Henley & Partners said in a statement.

The eight citizenship programmes included in the report were evaluated according to 10 indicators: Reputation, Quality of Life, Visa-free Access, Processing Time and Quality of Processing, Compliance, Financial Requirements, Residence Requirements, Relocation Flexibility, Physical Visit Requirements, and Transparency. Each indicator had an equal weighting of 10, producing a total score out of 100 for each country.

Antigua and Barbuda ranked fourth in the world, scoring second overall for Processing Time and Quality of Processing, Compliance, Investment Requirements, Transparency and Relocation Flexibility. It also scored highly in terms of Residence Requirements and Visa-free Access.

In ranking order, the eight countries featured in the GCPI are:

Malta

Cyprus

Austria

Antigua and Barbuda

Grenada

Kitts and Nevis

Lucia

Dominica

St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment programme is the top-ranked in the world in terms of Processing Time and Quality of Processing, as well as Residence Requirements and Physical Visit Requirements in the report. And it secured second place for Investment Requirements and Relocation Flexibility.

Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment programme, which was launched in August 2013, secured the number one spot in terms of Residence Requirements, Investment Requirements and Physical Visit Requirements.

St Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment programme, the newest of all the current programmes around the world, having only been launched in January 2016, secured the top spot in Investment Requirements, Residence Requirements and Physical Visit Requirements.

The programmes in the third edition of the GRCP were evaluated by a distinguished panel of independent experts — including immigration and citizenship lawyers, economists, country risk experts, academic researchers, and other specialists.

The cost for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship under the National Development Fund (NDF) has been reduced to US $100,000. The previous price was US $200,000. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne who was speaking in parliament Thursday morning.

He said the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) has been doing poorly this year.

According to the Hon. Gaston Browne, over the last two months, there have only been three applications under the NDF. This means that during that time, the NDF option only generated US $600,000 in revenue.

Browne said other countries such as Dominica have been doing extremely well with an NDF option price at US $100,000 – so Antigua and Barbuda will now do the same. He added that Dominica’s NDF makes $50 million per month.

For Antigua and Barbuda, the real estate option will remain priced at US $400,000 and the Business investment option will remain at US $ 1.5 million. The Prime Minister said the 50 percent price reduction for citizenship under the NDF is necessary to earn revenue to rebuild Barbuda.

St. Kitts and Nevis recently reduced the price for its citizenship by creating a Hurricane Relief Fund under its CIP where an applicant can get citizenship for US $150, 000.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The cost for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship under the National Development Fund (NDF) option has been reduced to US$100,000. The previous required contribution was US$200,000.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne who was speaking in parliament Thursday morning, the Antigua Observer reported.

He said the citizenship by investment programme (CIP) has been doing poorly this year.

According to the prime minister, over the last two months, there have only been three applications under the NDF.

This means that during that time, the NDF option only generated US$600,000 in revenue.

Browne said other countries such as Dominica have been doing extremely well with an NDF option price at US $100,000 – so Antigua and Barbuda will now do the same. He added that Dominica’s NDF makes $50 million per month.

For Antigua and Barbuda, the real estate option will remain priced at US$400,000 and the business investment option will remain at US$ 1.5 million.

The prime minister said the 50 percent price reduction for citizenship under the NDF is necessary to earn revenue to rebuild Barbuda.

In a controversial move, St Kitts and Nevis recently reduced the required contribution for its citizenship by creating a Hurricane Relief Fund under its CIP where an applicant can get citizenship for US$150, 000.

It appears that obtaining a second citizenship is beginning to catch momentum as a global trend. I’ve met several people in just the past week who have obtained multiple passports (more on that in later) but this trend is hardly more than a few personal vignettes. While individual experiences are valuable to learn from, truth must be backed by facts – truth must proven and backed by evidence.

Empirically speaking, Google shows that the search query for “2nd passport” is trending massively. One might think this would make it harder to obtain an alternative citizenship because there is more demand – but actually as alternative passports begin to trend, I have noted that this is not a zero sum game.

Citizenship by investment sometimes involves a large investment, and Governments around the world are increasingly willing to cash in on this trend and offer citizenship by investment to affluent citizens looking to obtain a travel document, and more importantly: a citizenship should they someday wish to renounce their current citizenship.

For some, this would be an unthinkable deed to “turn their back on their homeland”, but for others – they simply seek the highest quality of life for themselves and their family, regardless of where in the world this happens to be.

India –> US –> Singapore

As a real life example, I met no less than 3 individuals within just the past week, who began life as an Indian national, moved to America and obtained dual US citizenship and maintained their Indian passport as well – and then finally renounced both previous citizenships in exchange for Singaporean citizenship, (a country which does not recognize dual citizenship).

Many people may wish to simply have dual citizenship, without being forced to renounce a previous citizenship; for them, Singapore is not currently an option.

However, there are plenty of other options for an alternative citizenship, some of which have been available for some time, others that are recently gaining momentum. The newest and most attractive is that of Antigua and Barbuda.

New Instant Passport option: Antigua and Barbuda

Reputable sources have informed me that the country of Antigua is now offering citizenship by investment. The legislation is now passed.

About Antigua

Antigua has a history of independence where they tend to pursue their own goals with a sense of national freedom and independence from outside pressure.

Antigua is known as an offshore jurisdiction which attracts businessmen seeking privacy, bank accounts, and other business such as gambling licenses.

Through the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program, investors and their immediate family members can directly qualify for citizenship.

Antigua and Barbuda, an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean, has a developing economy driven primarily by the tourism industry.

The verdant tropical islands of Antigua and Barbuda are an enticing travel destination, considered one of the most stunning and charming holiday locations in the world.

As a member of the British Commonwealth, Antigua and Barbuda offers its citizens visa-free travel to over 130 other countries, including Canada,Schengen countries (EU), and the UK.

Benefits of Having Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship and Passport

Those who acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship and passport will be afforded all rights available to the country’s natural citizens. Rights and benefits include:

Visa-free travel: Citizenship allows individuals to freely enter EU Schengen member States among many others, including Canada, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, the UK, Hong Kong,Singapore, St. Martin and St. Barths. Travel for business or pleasure to 130 countries without needing to apply for a visa.

Dual citizenship: There is no requirement for an applicant to relinquish citizenship in his or her home country.

Resident status for dependents: Tuition for institutes of higher learning in Antigua and Barbuda are far less expensive for students with resident status.

The twin island nations of Antigua and Barbuda are located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country boasts stunning beaches, opportunities for yachting, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, as well as golfing, horseback riding and more. It is a member of the United Nations and CARICOM, making the small country a large player on the international stage. Considering all that Antigua and Barbuda have to offer, it comes as no surprise that the nation is called the Caribbean’s premier destination for tourism.

Antigua and Barbuda have become a very attractive option for foreign investors who are interested in relocating to an island paradise while at the same time diversifying their portfolio. While the nation’s economy is dominated by its thriving tourism industry, the country’s investment banking, financial services, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors are also very lucrative and successful. Moreover, its citizenship by investment opportunity is relatively new and requires a lower minimum investment amount in comparison to similar programs.

Investment-Based Immigration to Antigua and Barbuda

The government proposed the Antigua and Barbuda Economic Citizenship Programme Act of 2012. The purpose of the Act was to create a quick and easy pathway to citizenship for foreign investors who are seeking to relocate to the country.

Under the program, foreign investors have four options for qualifying for citizenship. The first option requires the foreign national to contribute at least$250,000USD to the country’s National Development Fund. The investment should be a lump sum, one time payment into government designated real estate that is valued at a minimum of $400,000USD.

The second option allows two or more investors to join their resources together and execute a sale and purchase agreement of an Antigua and Barbuda business as long as each investor contributes at least $400,000USD. The country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit will consult with the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) to approve businesses for the purpose of the investment-based citizenship program.

The third option allows a single foreign national to invest a minimum of $1,500,000USD into an ABIA approved business.

Finally, the fourth option allows two or more foreign investors to make a combined investment of at least $5,000,000USD into an ABIA approved business as long as each investor personally contributes at least$400,000to the joint venture.

The Citizenship Application

Regardless of the investment option the foreign national chooses, after making the investment the national is eligible to apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for the investor and family. Among other documents and materials, the application must include proof of the investment in the form of an escrow agreement, bank deposit, wire transfer, etc., and if the investor chose the real estate option, a copy of the real estate deed of sale, title transfer, and contract.

Additionally, the investor must submit an original reference letter from a bank professional at an internationally recognized bank. This letter must be no older than six months. Finally, the investor must also provide one professional reference from an attorney, accountant, notary, or similar professional. This reference must also be no older than six months.

If the application is approved, the investor and family can immediately obtain their Antigua and Barbuda passports which are valid for an initial period of five years and can be renewed indefinitely. While not required to permanently reside in the country, investor citizens and their families are required to spend at least 70 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the five years after they receive their first passport. The failure to do so will prevent the investors and their families from renewing their passports after the passports expire.

Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

Antigua and Barbuda passport holders have the unconditional and unrestricted right to live, work, and travel in and out of the country. Moreover, because of the nation’s membership in CARICOM, passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to more than twenty countries including the United Kingdom,Canada, Belize, and Jamaica. Antigua and Barbuda nationality also carries numerous financial benefits as well such as low tax rates.

On October 13, 2013, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer, announced the launch of the territory’s Citizenship by Investment Program.

The prime minister described the program as “an initiative which has the potential to transform the economic landscape of Antigua and Barbuda.”

Under the program, those who invest in Antigua and Barbuda will be granted citizenship. To qualify for the program foreign investors must make a minimum investment of USD250,000 in the National Development Fund. Alternatively, those wishing to take advantage of the program may invest USD400,000 in real estate or make a business investment of at least USD1.5m.

Mr Spencer said that the United Progressive Party Administration has worked for over two years to ensure that the program can maintain its integrity and stand up to scrutiny.

He compared the program to similar initiatives in the United States, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, St Kitts and Nevis, and Monaco, saying “the singular goal of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program is to generate investments and jobs for Antiguans and Barbudans and to put Antigua and Barbuda on the road to sustainable growth and development.”

He went on to say that he believes Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program will soon be considered one of the most prestigious and well regulated and managed across the globe.

He also addressed concerns from critics that the program is about selling the Caribbean territory’s passports. “We have structured the CIP to meet the most incisive scrutiny and to deliver the most rigorous review of the applications received by the Citizenship by Investment Unit,” he said.

In Antigua, the basic rate of income tax is 10 percent on income up to USD48,000 and the next rate is 15 percent on income up to USD120,000; then it’s 20 percent up to USD180,000 and 25 percent above that. There are no capital gains or inheritance tax.

Antigua and Barbuda has officially launched a residency for investment – or ‘golden’ – visa.

The Prime Minister announced the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) late last week.

To get a passport and citizenship in Antigua, investors must invest $250,000 to Antigua’s National Development Fund; make a real estate purchase of $400,000; or a business investment of $1.5million.

Some critics have said that the program is no better than “selling passports”, but he said at the launch that the scheme, “Should in no way jeopardize the integrity of the national passport” – and that the CIP would not be an open door to all.

“We have structured the CIP to meet the most incisive scrutiny and to deliver the most rigorous review of the applications received by the Citizenship by Investment Unit,” he added.

Antigua & Barbuda has launched its “Citizenship by Investment Program” with Prime Minister saying the initiative is to generate investments and jobs for nationals and to put the twin island-nation on the road to sustainable growth and development.

According to the Prime Minister, over the past 2 years, his administration had sought to ensure that all nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, were educated and informed of the initiative, which the administration insists “has the potential to transform the economic landscape of the country”.

He said that various stakeholders including the general public had discussed the project and had examined the best strategic options available to support investment and residential tourism as well as examine the business benefits which can come with economic citizenship. He added that meetings had identified risks and necessary safeguards that should be in place to maintain the integrity of the Antigua & Barbuda passport and among other things as well as establishing an institutional framework to manage the program.

The administration has worked on ensuring that the Citizenship by Investment Program which we are launching can maintain its integrity and stand up to scrutiny,” he said, noting that while the United States Citizenship by Investment Program differs slightly to Antigua & Barbuda’s, the offerings remain the same, in that the investor becomes a citizen of the United States and the holder of an American passport.-(CMC)